July 13, 2012 // 8:30 pm - Following up on our previous article, today some new PS3 Model (CECH-4000 series including a CECH-4011B and CECH-4011C) photos have surfaced which appear to include a possible 16 GB version.

There seems to be newer PlayStation 3 consoles to come. On the Brazil equivalent site to the FCC (ANATEL) was an CECH-4011 registered with the special specifics that there is also a 16 GB model (also like the 250 GB and 500 GB) available.

Check the attachments for the official .PDF files (HERE or HERE - Mirror) which unveil further information and to quote from TecnoBlog.net (linked above) roughly translated:

"Whenever I make a visit to the famous SGCH Anatel, the system that are published in the latest devices approved for sale in Brazil. We've had some leaks in this important system in the past and now it seems is one of those days.

On the afternoon of Friday found that at the end of last month which seems to be a new model of PlayStation 3, with capacities of 250, 500 and even a 16 GB has been certified by a laboratory and published in the system.

The list of files available on that link, along with a batch of statements or omission of Sony that were conveniently published yesterday. But as always, the photo files were available on the external server for all to access.

We have information that Sony has no plans to sell the products in the country. Although the new models have been approved by Anatel, the national body responsible for this activity., The idea of the company is continuing with the current models without modifying the portfolio for 2012.

The new model PS3 has an obvious difference in design, as you can see from the photos. The certificate does not speak from the bowels of the apparatus and therefore there is no telling what else has changed, but cites that as previous models, it comes with support for Bluetooth and WiFi 802.11b / g (and that was why he had to go Anatel).

Amid the files there is also published a "letter of similarity" (you can see below) sent by a Sony executive who says that all models that have been submitted for certification are all identical except for storage capacity. And in that letter that cites the executive models, which use codes CECH-4011A, and 4011B-CECH CECH-4011C, have respectively 16, 250 and 500 GB capacity.

Recently a new model of the PlayStation 3 had been approved by the FCC, the U.S. equivalent of the FCC, but there is no requirement for photos. Perhaps this model that was approved by the FCC is the same as was approved, but there is no way to know for now.

The point at which we can speculate is that the 16GB model can be a cheaper option than the Sony console and will offer in Brazil soon or not. Perhaps to compete with the XBox 360 4 GB?

Sought by Tecnoblog, Sony has not commented on Brazil's leaking."

Finally IGN uploaded a short video about this, for the lazy people.

Update: VG247 now reports that while the PS3-4000 won't make Gamescom this year it does indeed exist, will include a 16GB Flash and speculate a reduced price tag.

To quote: "A VG247 source has claimed that Sony will not announce PS3-4000 at its gamescom press conference on August 14.

PS3-4000, the latest, slimmest version of Sony’s current console, will not be announced at the main Sony Gamescom press conference on August 14, VG247 has been told.

A Gamescom reveal had been planned, but stock levels of the current build are said to be too high for Sony to move onto what is probably the last take on PS3 before PlayStation 4 is announced next year.

In addition, a source today said that the rumoured 16Gb version of PS3-4000 is in fact real, and is based on Flash memory. There was some confusion surrounding the figure, which originated from Anatel, the Brazilian Agency of Telecommunications, with many assuming it was intended to read 160Gb.

The new model will stack up against Microsoft’s 4Gb Flash-based Xbox 360. As the 16Gb PS3-4000 will have a flip-lid disc input and low-capacity storage, we’ve been told today that the announcement “may” be accompanied by a huge price cut, with the entry version potentially dropping as low as £99.

We’ve since been told, however, that there are no plans for a £99 PS3. In addition to the 16Gb version, 250GB and 500GB options have been rumored. First apparent images of the device emerged in mid-June."

Update #2: According to piteru (via m.neogaf.com/showpost.php?p=41813952&postcount=158) the new PS3 model (CECH-4000) will be unveiled at Tokyo Game Show with a launch on end of September along with a FIFA 13 bundle.

To quote: "i can confirm that in tgs the new ps3 model will be released. 28/9 probably the first bundle with the 500gb hdd along with fifa 13 in europe. second bundle to be released later. you can quote me / thank me or ban me if it turn out to be wrong. cannot specify my source. can laugh at me also for being junior member or anything else. tgs new ps3 model"

Top loading is an interesting concept - easier to swap disks, but it's not like that is really a necessity anymore. However removing most of the moving parts of disk intake / eject would be quite the cost saver. Couple that with an external PSU (aka, PS2 Slim) and things can be just that much lighter!

Really, a super slim 2 version? Don't remember that. Was that the one that came with the silver controller? Money spent on this may as well be saved unless the PS4 has no PS3 BC. Other option I can think of would be just to trade it in for some money to buy the PS4 if it does. I wonder what major "useful" features this PS3 will have -_-

Today Japanese site PocketNews (linked above) reports a new PS3 Slim model (CECH-4000 / CECH-4001x) has been spotted registered on the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) site.

While there is little information on the new SKU, the FCC ID is listed as AK8CBEH19C1 and rumors suggest the new PlayStation 3 model may feature a top-loading disc tray similar to the one on the PS2 Slim.

El33tOnline.com also points out that PS3 Firmware 4.20 slightly changed the wording on the XMB from 'Eject Disc' to 'Remove Disc' when you press Triangle to bring up a disc-based game's option menu.. stating, "Sony released a PS2 Super Slim in 2008 that featured an internal power supply and was lighter than the original Slim model."

To quote, roughly translated: "You think AK8CBEH19C1 is FCC ID, so CECH-4001x model number in North America, and appeared in the model number called CECH-4000B or CECH-4000A in the country.

From a position to paste the nameplate has been published, the shape of the body as a CECH-3000 of the current model is so different.

I hate cheesy so becomes at once when the design was a top-loading or in the cost down.

Below are pictures from the PDF files of the CECH-4001x label location, CECH-3000 model label the current location and CECHA00 first model label location.

Note the image is for the confirmation of the position and label body shape, size comparison can not be so disparate body size for each model."

Product Name:

CECH-4001x*1 - Computer Entertainment System

DECH-4000Ax*1 - Debugging Station

DECH-S4000Ax*1 - Debugging Station for AV test

*1: It will be replaced by an alphabet denoting the different hard disk specification.
*2: The difference between DECH-4000Ax and CECH-4001x is software only.
*3: DECH-S4000Ax and DECH-4000Ax is same in specification, but DECH-S4000Ax is for AV test.

Finally, according to Develop-Online.net, it is also reported that Sony could unveil the new super slim PS3 model at German games industry consumer event Gamescom next month, however, as usual Sony has declined to comment.